After a long trek through the ruins the seven reach a grand hall with a huge pipe organ dominating the center of the far wall. A figure draped with a long trenchcoat and various trinkets moves his hands spider-like up and down the keys. Then, the silence is brok-

Toad: ZYMETH!!!

Zymeth: (Spinning around) Zapper!?

Toad: (Flings her arms around him in a death grip) I’m so glad to see you again!

Zymeth: (Straining) Erk… Me too, Zap…You’re hurting me…

Toad: Oh, sorry. (Drops him)

Zymeth stood up and dusted himself off. He appeared to be a standard human-like robot. However, the synthetic skin covering his face was deathly white and he had long, unkempt black hair. His eyes were black with points of white light shining out, and a few stitches and marks on his face made it obvious he changed his appearance himself.

Zymeth: Oh really? And I suppose Zapper here told you I’d make a good candidate?

Dive: Yep. Pretty much

Zymeth: Sorry, but I’m not interested. (Turns around towards the organ again)

Toad: But Zy! I’ll be there!

Dust: You get free stuff. Like armor that looks like a skeleton.

Zymeth: Hmm… I’m still not sure…

Pharaoh: Our boss, Cossack, is a mad Russian that can fix you up for no charge.

Drill: Plus you get a nice room and free board.

Zymeth: Hmm…

Ring: Plus you get access to cool gadgets, AND you can shoot things to death!

Zymeth: I’m sold.

Toad: YAY!

Drill: Awesome. So are there any… skills you can bring to the team?

Zymeth: Ah, so NOW you’re looking for credentials. (Takes a few steps towards Drill) I suppose I do. How’s master of the arcane?

Drill: (Looking up at Zymeth who’s looming over him) You’re pretty tall. Regardless, what do you mean?

Zymeth: (Taking a step back) I’ll show you. It’s technically a substance called Dark Energy, but people of old mistook it for magic. You see, I can use it to slightly bend reality to create some very nice effects.

Zymeth’s hands burst into blue flames, electricity running up and down his body. With a snap, he hurled the blue fireball at a piece of rubble, shattering it.

Zymeth: More effective than most busters, to be sure. Of course, that is kind of a strain on my core… I have other nice tricks as well.

Zymeth snaps his fingers, and suddenly he blinks out of existence, only to reappear behind Drill.

Zymeth: Plus I’m quite handy in martial combat… How are those credentials?

Ring: Sign him up!

Drill: Okay. Welcome to the team, Skullman.(The two shake hands)

Zymeth: Thank you… Drillman? Regardless, I hope you don’t mind having a member that is somewhat… twisted…

Dive: You kidding? We need to introduce you to some guys back home.

(They all begin walking towards the exit, talking the entire trip. They take no notice to the shadowy figure looming off in the distance, watching them.)

Wraith: (Talking to himself) So, Zymeth… You’ve taken to them? Interesting choice in allies, for one such as yourself. But why? Because your dear friend is among them? You wish to atone? No, of course you don’t… You join them for a more… sinister purpose… no doubt. Well, shall we not see how the Beast thinks? I’m sure they’d be quite interested…

(Later)

Skull: (Looking in the mirror, admiring his new armor) Not bad, not bad at all.

Cossack: Well, I’m glad that we filled in Skull’s spot. Though I don’t know WHY it had to be ANOTHER loony.

Dust: Oh, you’re in no room to talk.

Cossack: Shut up.

Skull: (Throws the black cloak around himself) I do like this armor. Any chance of learning the weapons systems?

Drill: Here, we have a training room. Cossack here can give the run-down of your new powers.

Cossack: I can? I don’t really have the ti-

Drill: Kalink-

Cossack: Okay okay! I’ll do it! Come on, Skull.

Skull: (Snaps his fingers, summoning a scythe from blue flames) I do so hope you don't mind that I've brought a few of my own weapons.

Cossack: I guess not. C'mon, psycho...

Toad: See? I told you all that he'd be great for the job!

Dust: That remains to be seen. But despite being a freaking psychopath, I kinda like the guy.

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